Speaking of Fire 1

Members of the Fire Protection Publications (FPP) staff who interact with our customers can relate numerous requests they have received over the years for new manuals. These requests may have come in the form of phone calls, emails, or conversations at trade shows and conferences. Most of these requests have come from people who have genuine interest or concerns about a particular topic on which they or their agencies would like more training and information. However, often times these topics were highly specialized or local in nature and did not justify the need for IFSTA to develop materials.

One topic that did warrant our attention was the rising need for information and educational materials about hazardous materials that developed in the 1980s. Emergency responders saw increasing numbers of incidents involving hazardous materials in their daily responses. Few agencies had any significant programs to train the responders on how to handle these incidents. IFSTA took the lead in providing this needed information with the release of the first edition of our Hazardous Materials for First Responders manual in 1988. It was the first book of its kind and provided necessary information for personnel who responded to hazardous materials incidents. IFSTA developed the manual during the same time that the first edition of NFPA® 472, Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents was being developed.

Now in its fourth edition, the IFSTA Hazardous Materials for First Responders manual and curriculum package remains the leading source for providing training on the Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness and Operations levels. However, that level of acceptance and success resulted in one question that arose again and again: When is IFSTA going to develop a manual and training materials for Hazardous Materials Technicians?

We took your questions and needs to heart, and we are proud to announce the release of the first edition of the IFSTA Hazardous Materials Technician manual and training package. The information contained in this manual was developed using the same proven IFSTA committee validation process that has been our hallmark for 80 years. The members of this committee are leaders in the training of hazardous materials from across North America. The manual itself is available in print and eBook versions. A complete instructional package, an Exam Prep, and other supplemental materials support the manual. IFSTA/FPP will provide a certification test bank for this manual to all IFSAC and ProBoard accredited agencies.

We realize that firefighters are not the only emergency responders who require Hazardous Materials Technician training and certification. This manual is written so that it is equally applicable to other emergency responders, such as law enforcement personnel who need to be trained and certified to this level.

Once again, IFSTA/FPP has come through with a product you need. Our staff and the members of the IFSTA organization will continue to monitor our profession for topics that need to be further addressed and do our best to develop products for you. We have been doing this for 80 years and, in my opinion, we are really good at it!

Slow down and keep all your wheels on the road,

Mike WiederAssociate Director, FPPExecutive Director, IFSTA

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S RAMBLINGS

Fire Protection Publications | Oklahoma State University | 930 N. Willis, Stillwater, OK 74078-8045 | 800.654.4055 | ifsta.orgDirector: Craig Hannan | Associate Director and IFSTA Executive Director: Mike Wieder

Editor SOF: Alex Abrams | Sr. Graphic Designer: Desa KinnamonContributing Writers: Nancy Trench, Leslie Miller, Bill Booth,and Chief Dennis Compton.

Marketing Comments or Questions? Contact Marketing by email: marketing@osufpp.org or call: 800.654.4055. Editorial Comments or Questions? Contact Nancy Trench by email: ntrench@osufpp.org or call: 800.654.4055.Speaking of Fire newsletter is published four times a year by Fire Protection Publications (Headquarters for IFSTA) to update customers on the latest information about FPP and IFSTA products and other significant issues affecting the fire industry. The views acknowledged in the guest editorial don’t necessarily reflect those of Fire Protection Publications or the International Fire Service Training Association. Copyright© 2013 Fire Protection Publications. This material may not be reproduced without the express permission of the publisher.

Executive Director’s Ramblings .................................................... inside cover

IFSTA Update NEW Hazardous Materials Technician, 1st Edition Technician Training in One NEW Text ................................................ 2

News You Can Use Training Center Money; More Than One Color .......................................... 5

Guest Editorial Did You Support the CFSI in 2013? .............................................................. 6

FPP/IFSTA News Thank You, Cindy Brakhage .......................................................................... 8 Leslie Miller Appointed to NFPA® Committee ............................................. 8 Mike Wieder Receives IAFC President’s Award ........................................... 8 Wieder Receives NFPA® Committee Service Award .................................... 9 Hannan Appointed To CPC Commission ..................................................... 9 Fire Corps Award of Excellence ................................................................... 9

2013 IFSTA Validation Conference ........................................................10

Fire is Everyone’s Fight™ .........................................................................12

Cancer Risk Reduction Actions ..............................................................13

Advertising Hazardous Materials Technician, 1st Edition ........................................ 4 IFSTA is Proud to Support ........................................................... back cover 2013 IFSTA Validation

Conference ..................................... 10

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Haz mat technician instructors Omar Lopez and Gregory LeBlanc demonstrate the use of a Chlorine Institute Emergency Kit “A” at Goodfellow Air Force Base. Photo by Jeff Fortney.

GO GREEN AT IFSTA.ORGDo you want to read Speaking of Fire online at ifsta.org? If so, we will notify you when it is available for viewing — all you need to do is send your email address to sof@osufpp.org. You can print your own copy at your convenience and therefore won’t need a printed copy from us. If you definitely don’t want a printed copy of Speaking of Fire, please include in your email your name, address, and account number so that we can remove you from the SOF mailing list. Thanks!

Oklahoma State University, in compliance with the title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services. Title IX of the Education Amendments and Oklahoma State University policy prohibit discrimination in the provision or services or benefits offered by the university based on gender. Any person (student, faculty or staff) who believes that discriminatory practices have been engaged in based on gender may discuss his or her concerns and file infor-mal or formal complaints of possible violations of Title IX with OSU’s Title IX coordinator: the Director of Affirmative Action, 408 Whitehurst, Oklahoma State University,This publication, issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by Fire Protection Publications, was printed at no cost to the taxpayers of Oklahoma.

New Hazardous Materials Technician, 1st Edition ................. 2

Speaking of Fire 3Speaking of Fire 32 Speaking of Fire

IFSTA UPDATE

NEW Hazardous Materials Technician,1st EditionTechnician Training in One NEW Text

• ALL Technician knowledge and skills for NFPA® 472, 2013 Edition

• Advanced offensive operations• Initial response to termination• NFPA® competencies correlated in each

chapter• Complete instructor resources

This new IFSTA manual is the only book available that directly addresses all competencies for Hazardous Materials Technician according to NFPA® 472, Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents, 2013 Edition. It also meets Technician Level requirements in OSHA Title 29 CFR 1910.120 (HAZWOPER). The eBook and print format are available. Buy the eBook eBundle for the best value.All knowledge and skills responders must know, from initial response to termination, is covered in depth. This includes haz mat chemistry; container identification, construction features, and leak points; as well as product control and decontamination operations. Each chapter begins with a list of specific learning objectives and the correlating competency numbers in NFPA® 472. Competency numbers are indexed in Appendix A, so students and instructors can identify the exact places in the text to locate the applicable content.At the Operations level, responders may perform basic defensive operations. However, the Technician must have advanced training for direct contact with the most dangerous hazardous materials, from highly toxic gas releases to chemical, biological, or radiological materials in terrorist attacks.The first edition of Hazardous Materials Technician builds on Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 4th Edition, taking training to the next certification level. The first manual addresses training for Awareness and Operations response at hazardous materials incidents. This new manual is designed to prepare emergency responders to conduct advanced, offensive operations.Case Histories open each chapter to illustrate important lessons learned in the real world. Pictures, tables, and graphics help students master important concepts. Each page is presented in easy-to-read, single-column format. Key terms and definitions are highlighted, and Caution and Warning boxes pull out critical safety information. Skill Sheets at the end of each chapter provide step-by-step instructions for every competency. The curriculum contains all components for a successful course, and all of these instructor resources are customizable. Curriculum includes:

• Plan of Instruction• Course Syllabus Template• Lesson Outlines • PowerPoint® Presentations

• Chapter Quizzes • Chapter Tests (both MS Word format and in a test bank format provided by ExamView™)• Skill Evaluation Checklists • Learning Activities• Clip Art (all images used in the manual for customizing your own slides or presentations)• Course Workbook and Answer Key

Instructors who teach with Hazardous Materials Technician also have access to the ResourceOne Classroom, the IFSTA learning management system provided at no cost to instructors. Plan, manage, and deliver a Haz Mat Tech course using ResourceOne. IFSTA provides one-on-one instructor support for the flexible and user-friendly ResourceOne.Student Support Materials include:

• Exam Prep Print• Exam Prep Flash Drive• Key Term Flashcard App

Hazardous Materials Technician Chapter List: 1 Review of Awareness, Operations, and Technician-Level Competencies — This

chapter provides a brief synopsis of the information and training required to meet the prerequisites for the NFPA® Technician Level.

2 Scene Management — This chapter addresses incident command systems, the haz mat branch, typical haz mat incident levels, response priorities, and response models.

3 Chemical and Physical Properties — Basic physical behavior and properties are introduced in this chapter, from states of matter to important sections about phase changes, aggressive materials, and temperature and pressure.

4 Chemistry and Hazards of Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction — In this chapter, students are introduced to the Periodic Table of Elements as well as many other fundamentals of basic chemistry, such as bonding and reactions.

5 Exposure Assessment and Toxicology — Hazardous materials can harm people, property, and the environment in a myriad of ways. This chapter explains how to measure toxicity, radiological limits, and exposures.

6 Hazard and Response Information — Technical research is an important task for technicians. This chapter explores the vital tools for this job.

7 Hazard Detection and Monitoring — Technicians must know how to detect hazardous materials. This chapter includes basic information about monitoring and detection devices. Topics include detection and monitoring operations, techniques, and types of instruments. If you have read this far, be one of the first to email ntrench@osufpp.org and receive an IFSTA eBook of your choice.

8 Personal Protective Equipment — This chapter explores the use and limitations of respiratory protection and protective clothing with a focus on chemical protective ensembles. It also addresses PPE selection, inspection, testing, and maintenance.

9 Decontamination — This chapter covers advanced aspects of mass and technical decontamination.

10 Container Identification, Design, and Construction — This chapter addresses a variety of haz mat containers divided into sections on identification, construction features, common leak points, and estimating capacity.

11 Product Control — Damage assessment, predicting behavior, plugging and patching, overpacking, and specialized product control techniques are detailed in this chapter. This chapter also includes 23 skill sheets demonstrating various product control techniques with step-by-step instructions.

12 Incident Demobilization and Termination — As its name implies, this chapter provides what haz mat technicians need to know about demobilization and termination.

Speaking of Fire 54 Speaking of Fire4 Speaking of Fire

NEWS YOU CAN USE

continued on page 12

Training Center Money; More Than One ColorBy Bill Booth

When considering funding for a new public safety training facility, there are at least TWO colors of money: money for construction and money for operations. Both are important, but many times the latter is the color overlooked or misunderstood.

Let’s discuss money for operations. What is the cost to operate the training center on an annual basis? How many staff members or sub-contractors are needed to keep a training center operational and running safely and efficiently? What are the estimated yearly expenses for electricity, water, janitorial services, and maintenance for a smooth-running operation? More specifically, what are the true costs of fuel for the live-burn props or the cost to run the air ventilation system at the indoor shooting range?

New Police and Fire Training Trends EmergeI have assisted with several new training centers built with taxpayer-approved bond initiatives or projects that received capital improvement plan (CIP) approval prior to the 2008 economic downturn that are now facing great operation budget challenges. In these cases, money for construction was the easy part. Now faced with budget cutbacks and layoffs, departments must find ways to meet training mandates, pay the utility bills, and keep training equipment operational. We have helped training center managers rethink and modify daily operational activities and policies. There is no one solution that can be applied to all training center sustainability challenges. Based on a national perspective, I see some key trends emerging.

1. Police/Fire Partnerships – The most obvious relationships are those forged between police and fire within their city. Usually both chiefs report to the same city manager or county administrator. Budget pressure for cuts and economizing are coming from the manager or administrator, so cooperation between departments within the city/county is a no brainer. Pre-2008 thinking was often driven by very different factors (status quo, non-monetary-driven agendas, and even ego). With the extraordinary budget pressures of 2012, many of these old-school ways are fading very fast. Many parts of a training facility, such as classrooms, drill grounds, and multi-story drill towers, can be used by both departments. Then operational costs are shared.

2. Community College/Public Safety Partnerships – Community College/Public Safety Partnerships are rapidly becoming another trend. In California, a community college paid for the construction of a new multimillion dollar training center on land owned by the local fire district. In exchange for the land, the district will receive priority access to a state-of-the art facility.

3. Community College/Public Safety Partnerships – TAKE 2 –Departments are recruiting colleges to bring fire and police science programs to their city/county-owned training centers. The college is charged a fee for access and use, thereby off-setting the training center annual operations cost. This is certainly a win-win for both parties.

4. Non-Public Safety Partnerships – Another trend is the joining of public safety agencies (police/fire) with “civilian departments” in a city/county. For example, a metropolitan city in the Northwest has a training center that is shared by the fire department and city public works. Both entities share in the use and maintenance of the classroom and training props.

5. Bartering for Space and Access – In California a police agency needed to expand the emergency vehicle operator course (EVOC). Land was available but no capital improvement funding. The departments created an agreement with the local heavy equipment earth moving union. In exchange for space to train new apprentice workers the union graded the land for the new track.

Speaking of Fire 7Speaking of Fire 76 Speaking of Fire

GUEST EDITORIALDid You Support the CFSI in 2013? By Chief Dennis Compton

Times are not easy in Washington, DC these days when it comes to maintaining federal support for issues that are critical to the fire service in the United States. For that matter, times are tough across the board for all groups advocating in the nation’s capital for the needs of people and/or causes they represent. That is why once a year members throughout the fire service gather in Washington, DC to meet with their members of Congress, congressional staffs, and federal agency representatives to lobby for the federal resources and government policies needed by our fire and emergency services to function effectively and safely at the local level. During their visit, members have the opportunity to attend outstanding seminars designed to provide updates on current issues facing the fire service as a whole. This gathering is so significant because fire service representatives have a unique opportunity to impact and positively influence federal legislation that will affect fire department operations and fire service organizations. Were you there this year?

On May 8 and 9, 2013, the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) hosted the 25th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars at the Hilton Washington Hotel in Washington, DC. Approximately 2,000 fire service members representing the full spectrum of the industry came together for the common cause of demonstrating solidarity and support for the needs of the fire and emergency services community. They visited Capitol Hill, the White House, and federal agencies to educate and carry messages important to sustaining the critical institution we call the fire service. These efforts produce practical outcomes that focus directly on fire suppression, fire service-based EMS, fire prevention, public education, hazardous materials response, technical rescue, and training. The emphasis of their messages is on providing federal support to make fire departments throughout the United States more effective in all of these service delivery areas. The end result is funding for initiatives such as FIRE and SAFER grants, the United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Fire Academy (NFA), the USAR program, and fire prevention and education programs. There is also support for integrating fire service-based EMS systems within the implementation plans for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and other critical needs of the fire service in general and fire departments specifically. Be one of the first to read SOF and receive an IFSTA eBook of your choice. Contact ntrench@osufpp.org.

The 2013 CFSI Seminars were outstanding and covered the following important and current topics:

• Protecting Our Homeland: The Role of FEMA and USFA in Homeland Security• Responding to the Call During the Economic Downturn• America Burning: Renewing Our Commitment to a Federal Role in Fire Service

Preparedness• Prevention, Education, and Code Development: Fire is Everyone’s Fight™• Public Safety Communications: The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) • Fire Service-Based EMS: The Impact of Federal Policies on the Delivery of Emergency

Medical Services• The Changing Severity of Home Fires

• CFSI Congressional Roundtable on Several Topics• Federal Funding for First Responders• CFSI and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) Town Hall MeetingThe 2013 CFSI Dinner featured a keynote address by Vice President Joe Biden, comments

from leaders from the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, the CFSI Board members and several prominent fire service leaders, and the presentation of prestigious national awards. The dinner program also included a special tribute to the late Arthur J. Glatfelter, a former philanthropist and board member of CFSI and NFFF. In addition to the Vice President, other featured speakers included:

• Senator Tom Carper• Congressman Steny Hoyer• Congressman Peter King• Congressman Rob Andrews • Congressman Curt Weldon

The following national fire service awards were presented: • CFSI/Motorola Solutions Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award (Recipient: Chief Ron Siarnicki; Executive Director; National Fallen Firefighters

Foundation)• CFSI/NFFF Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award (Recipients:

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Office of the Oregon State Fire Marshal, and the Oregon Governor’s Fire Service Policy Council)

• CFSI/IFSTA at OSU Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award for Leadership in Fire Safety Education (Recipient: Jim Crawford, former Fire Marshal and Planning Chief, Vancouver, Washington, and the Vision 20/20 Project Manager)

• CFSI/MedicAlert Foundation Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award (Recipients: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services, and the Snokomish County, Washington Fire Protection District Number 1)

I am often asked by members of the fire service, “What can I do to support the fire service efforts at the national level?” There are choices, but the one that is obvious and available to anyone in the industry is to participate in the CFSI National Dinner and Seminars each year in Washington, DC. The larger and more active the group of attendees, the louder and clearer the message: the fire service needs and appreciates the support of Congress and the Administration. Make a commitment to yourself now to be there in 2014. The work of the CFSI and its National Advisory Committee (NAC) is critical to the success of the entire fire service, but they need you!

Go to CFSI’s website at www.cfsi.org and learn about the organization and ways to support it. Every day many individuals and organizations are in Washington, DC advocating for their agendas. The larger the group, the more Congress pays attention. In 2014, attend the CFSI program on April 30 and May 1. Your presence will be noticed. Your presence will make a difference for your fire department – and for that matter, all fire departments across our nation.

About the Author:Chief Dennis Compton is a well-known speaker and the author of several books, including his most recent offering entitled Progressive Leadership Principles, Concepts, and Tools. He has also authored the three-part series of books entitled When in Doubt, Lead, the book Mental Aspects of Performance for Firefighters and Fire Officers, as well as many articles, chapters, and other publications.

Dennis served as the Fire Chief in Mesa, Arizona, for five years and as Assistant Fire Chief in Phoenix, Arizona, where he served for twenty-seven years. Chief Compton is the Past Chairman of the Executive Board of the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) and Past Chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Institute’s National Advisory Committee. He is currently the Chairman of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Board of Directors.

Speaking of Fire 9Speaking of Fire 98 Speaking of Fire

Mike Wieder Receives IAFC President’s AwardMike Wieder received on behalf of IFSTA/FPP one of three IAFC President’s Awards of Recognition at the August 16 General Session at Fire-Rescue International (FRI) in Chicago.

Every year, the IAFC President honors those individuals from the fire and emergency services community who have contributed in a significant way during the President’s term.

IAFC President Chief Hank Clemmensen selected Wieder, IFSTA Executive Director, in recognition of his personal and organizational dedication to firefighter safety and his leadership ensuring the ongoing success of the National Firefighter Near-Miss Reporting System.

“Mike and IFSTA received one of three IAFC Presidential Awards for stepping in and saving the Near-Miss Program this past year,” said Steve Westermann, former IAFC President and member of the IFSTA Executive Board. “It is well noted in IAFC circles that if it didn’t happen, Near-Miss would have been a direct hit and the valuable resource no longer available. Thanks, Mike and IFSTA!”

Wieder assumed only credit for the idea that the Near-Miss Reporting System could head to the IFSTA Fire Protection Publications (FPP) servers at Oklahoma State when funding for the system was lost.

Wieder credits IFSTA Director Craig Hannan and the FPP Information Technology staff for providing the resources to “make it happen.”

Congratulations to Wieder and the IFSTA/FPP staff members!

IFSTA/FPP NEWSThank You, Cindy BrakhageWe extend our heartfelt thanks to FPP Senior Editor Cindy Brakhage, who, prior to this edition, served as the Project Manager and/or Principle Editor for the Speaking of Fire newsletter for more than 20 of her 31 years employed here at Fire Protection Publications. Cindy has been a central figure in many of the changes and improvements to SOF through the years. She is currently serving as the Project Manager for two important IFSTA validation projects. These projects are the development of new editions of the Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator and Fire Detection and Suppression Systems manuals. We are extremely grateful for her years of dedicated service to SOF.

With this edition of SOF, we welcome FPP Senior Editor Alex Abrams as the Principle Editor. Alex recently came to FPP following a distinguished writing and journalism career in Arkansas. We are excited to welcome Alex to the SOF team!

Hannan Appointed To CPC CommissionCraig Hannan received an appointment as Commissioner on the Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) by the Board of Directors of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. (CPSE). His term will run for nine years (108 months), beginning May 1, 2013, and ending April 30, 2022.

The CPSE Board of Directors noted Hannan’s experience, influence, and leadership development in its decision to appoint him to the prestigious commission. He will fill an at-large seat on the commission.

The CPSE Board of Directors assists in the development of programs that serve members of the fire and emergency services industry.

Hannan has served as Director of IFSTA/FPP since 2009, and he also performs duties as a Captain and Training Officer for the Perkins Fire Department in Oklahoma. A former Fire Chief of the Colbert (Oklahoma) Fire Department, Hannan serves as a member of Oklahoma’s Council on Firefighter Training. He is also the IFSTA representative on the NFPA® 1001 committee.

Leslie Miller Appointed to NFPA® Committee FPP Senior Editor Leslie Miller was recently appointed Vice-Chair of the Task Group assigned to develop NFPA® 1072, Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications. This appointment came from NFPA® Hazardous Materials Response Personnel Committee Chair Greg Noll. Noll noted that Leslie has been an active player on both the Hazardous Materials Response Personnel Technical Committee and the 1072 Task Group for the last 10 years. She has worked closely with Task Group Chair Charlie Wright for more than three years in converting the requirements of NFPA® 472 into the Job Performance Requirements (JPR) format required by the NFPA® for all Professional Qualifications standards. Noll also noted that Leslie is viewed as one of the most knowledgeable members of the committee on developing JPRs. Congratulations to Leslie, and thank you for representing IFSTA/FPP on this important committee.

Wieder Receives NFPA® Committee Service AwardMike Wieder received the Committee Service Award from the NFPA® Standards Council at the NFPA Conference and Expo in Chicago. The award is given for continuous voluntary service as a technical committee member who serves for a substantial period of time and in recognition and appreciation of distinguished service to NFPA® in the development of NFPA® codes and standards.“IFSTA/FPP has been proud to sponsor Mike as a technical committee member for many years,” said Craig Hannan, IFSTA Director. “We are all very pleased to see Mike recognized for his exemplary service to the NFPA® standards process. Mike’s counsel and writing skill are often sought for committees outside those on which he serves as a member.” “His actions have brought positive recognition to IFSTA, FPP, OSU, and the NFPA®. Please join me in congratulating Mike on this prestigious award. Way to go, Mike! We are proud of you!”Wieder, IFSTA Executive Director, was recognized for his service to:Professional Qualifications Technical Committees on:

Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications (1990 – present)Incident Management Personnel Professional Qualifications (2003 as Chair – present)Traffic Control Management Professional Qualifications (2010 – present)

Technical Correlating Committee on:Professional Qualifications (2003 – present)

Technical Committee on:Fire Service Training (2001 – 2004)

NVFC Chair Phil Stittleburg (left) and IFSTA representative Steve Ashbrock (right), with Sun City West Fire Corps of Arizona members Holli Sandeen, Mary Dalton, Michael Bannon, and Douglas Randall, received the Fire Corps Award of Excellence; sponsored by International Fire Service Training Association and Fire Protection Publications.

Fire Corps Award ofExcellence

Speaking of Fire 11Speaking of Fire 1110 Speaking of Fire

80 Years of Serving FirefightersBy Mike Wieder

In 1934, an insurance industry trade group named the Western Actuarial Bureau called fire training officials from states surrounding Oklahoma to attend a meeting in Kansas City, Missouri. The intent of this meeting was to encourage officials from other states to adopt the model of developing fire training programs and printed manuals to support their classes, as was being done at Oklahoma A&M College (now known as Oklahoma State University). Along with the Oklahomans, representatives from Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas attended the meeting.

The people at the meeting realized that it would be counterproductive for each state to develop and publish its own materials. Therefore, the group formed the Fire Service Training Association (FSTA) and agreed that fire training officials would meet each July in Oklahoma. This group would come to a consensus on new or revised fire training materials and then the Oklahoma A&M contingent would produce the materials and sell them to other states at a reasonable cost. By the next meeting, in July 1935, sixteen states were represented and the organization grew quickly from there. The FSTA became the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) in 1955 when the first Canadian officials attended the annual validation conference.

Flash forward to July 13-16, 2013, when IFSTA celebrated its 80th Validation Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Though the technologies and production methods have changed significantly, the mission of the 80th Validation Conference was no different from the first one in 1934. Fire service leaders and educators from North America and beyond gathered to learn new information and review and validate new training manuals for use by emergency responders.

As has been the tradition for the past 10 years, much of the conference’s first day was dedicated to the International Fire Service Journal of Leadership and Management (IFSJLM) Research Symposium. The IFSJLM is supported by IFSTA and Fire Protection Publications and is the world’s only academic, peer-reviewed journal on fire service leadership and management. OSU Political Science Professor Dr. Robert England manages both the journal and the symposium. Dr. England is a professor in the School of Political Science Fire and Emergency Management graduate degree program.

The presenters at Research Symposium '13 were a veritable “Who’s Who” of fire service educators and researchers. A synopsis of the program included:

• Dr. Anne Eyre, Trauma Training Consultant, Coventry, United Kingdom. Dr. Eyre was the 2013 Recipient of the Dr. John Granito Award for Excellence in Fire Leadership and Management Research. She also gave a presentation entitled, “Putting People at the Heart of Emergency Management.”

• Dan Madrzykowski, Fire Protection Engineer, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), presented on “Fire Dynamics: The Science of Fire Fighting.”

2013 IFSTA VALIDATION CONFERENCE• Dr. John Granito, Professor Emeritus and Retired Vice President for Public Service

and External Affairs at the State University of New York at Binghamton, presented “A Comparison of the Personal Characteristics, Skills, and Attitudes Desired for Team Members as Described by a Police S.W.A.T. Commander and a Fire Haz Mat Commander.”

• Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, Assistant to the General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, presented “NIST Report on High-Rise Fireground Field Experiments.”

• Chief Ron Siarnicki, Executive Director, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and Dr. Denise L. Smith, Health & Exercise Sciences Department, Skidmore College, presented “Investigating the Medical Cause of Firefighter Cardiovascular Fatalities to Develop Preventative Strategies.”

• Dr. Nadia Al-Sabouni, Research Analyst, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, United Kingdom, presented “Matching Resource to Demand: Modeling Different Components of the Fire and Rescue Service and Understanding Their Interdependence Using a Systems Thinking Approach.”

• Dr. Shawn Bayouth, Assistant Professor/Collaborator, Iowa State University, Fire Chief, Ames, Iowa, and Dr. Charles L. Cychosz, Police Chief, Ames, Iowa, presented “Utilizing Broken Windows to Shatter an Arson Problem.”

• Dr. John M. Moschella, Deputy Chief (retired), Revere (MA) Fire Department and Anna Maria College, and Annie Chou (Chou Yung-hua), EMS Division Chief for the Changhua, Taiwan Fire Bureau, presented “Fire Department Evaluation Standards in England, Taiwan, and the United States: A Cross National Comparison.”

Other activities that occurred on the first day of the validation conference included meetings of the IFSTA Nominations and Elections Committee and the Delegate Selection Committee, as well as a new member orientation session and the IFSTA Executive Board meeting. The 80th conference was officially called to order later that evening at the Opening General Session that was presided over by IFSTA Executive Board Chair Steve Ashbrock, Fire Chief of the Madeira-Indian Hill Fire Department in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Other traditional events held during the course of the conference included the Spouse/Guest Brunch and activities, special breakfasts for Hudiburg Award Winners and Emeritus Members, and the annual barbecue dinner.

The heart of any IFSTA Conference is the work of the validation committees. Committee delegates meet to review and validate drafts of new or revised manuals that are in the development process. Depending on the manual schedule, the work reviewed at the conference meeting may fall anywhere between the initial start-up of a project and the final validation of a manual being readied for release. Three validation committees met at the July 2013 Validation Conference:

• Fire and Emergency Services Safety Officer, 2nd Edition• Building Construction Related to the Fire Service, 4th Edition• Fire Inspection and Code Enforcement, 8th EditionEighty years later, the IFSTA Validation Conference remains a vital part of the IFSTA

manual development process. This process and the extraordinary qualifications and talent of the members who serve on the validation committees continue to ensure that IFSTA/FPP maintains its leadership position in the field of fire and emergency services training manuals and support products.

About the author: Mike Wieder is a 29-year staff member at Fire Protection Publications. He serves as Associate Director of FPP and Executive Director of IFSTA.

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FIRE IS EVERYONE’S FIGHT™Fire is Everyone’s Fight™ IFSTA is a Proud PartnerUSFA recognizes the power of partnership as a critical means of marketing and delivering accurate and consistent safety messages into the community. Fire is Everyone’s Fight™ is based on social marketing research commissioned by the grassroots Vision 20/20 fire safety consortium with funding from an Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. USFA is asking partners to use the Fire is Everyone’s Fight™ tagline with existing or new materials. By leveraging Fire is Everyone’s Fight™ resources at the local and state levels, the fire safety community can present a consistent, repetitive message that helps diverse members of our society take action to reduce their risk of fire. Thanks for reading SOF! Contact ntrench@osufpp.org . Five people will receive an IFSTA eBook of your choice.

Consistent smoke alarm messages are especially important. With input from experts in the field of adult literacy, Fire Is Everyone’s Fight™ has carefully crafted smoke alarm messages for adults across America:

• Put Smoke Alarms in Your Home to Keep Your Family Safe• Make Sure Your Smoke Alarms Work• Be Ready, Make an Escape Plan• Use Your Escape Plan if There is a FireFor more information and access to free education and

outreach materials, visit www.usfa.fema.gov/FireisEveryonesFight.

Training Center Money; More Than One Colorcontinued from page 5

6. Public Private Partnerships (P3) – This is an arrangement where a government (city, county, or state) enters into a business venture with a private business. A P3 can take several forms. The private business may take the responsibility for construction of the training center in exchange for the government’s commitment to use and pay fees over a set period of time, say 25-30 years. A training center P3 is underway in Fort Worth, Texas. The city has released a P3, Request for Proposal, which includes indoor and outdoor firing ranges; indoor tactical training; classrooms; administrative offices; an EVOC; gym; fitness area; dive training; K-9 training; and a two-story and eight-story burn building. A decision is expected later this year.

The big economic shift of 2008 has forced government to rethink and re-evaluate operations. Amid this “reset” of policies, procedures, budgeting, and planning have been reconfigured. In the course of so much change, the core mission of police and firefighters has NOT changed. Law enforcement and firefighting are still very dangerous occupations. Going forward some things are guaranteed: 1) Costs will go up. 2) Budgets will go down. 3) Training delivery cannot be compromised. 4) Job risks do not diminish. 5) Challenges never cease.

I have listed six methods for creative training center sustainability. No doubt, there are many others. I look forward to any comment or unique ways you have seen or used.

About the author: Bill Booth is an authority on Strategic Business Planning For Public Safety, Police and Fire Training Centers. President of the Interact Business Group www.interactbusinessgroup.com and Managing Editor at www.respondergateway.net.

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